Urology Coding Alert

Don't count on extra pay for the nerve block, however. When your urologist performs a circumcision, accurate CPT Coding won't get you paid if you can't prove medical necessity with the proper ICD-9 Codes -- and the diagnosis challenge is not the only hurdle you'll need to jump. By following these four expert tips, however, you're sure to not only code correctly, but also bring in every dollar your urologist deserves for circumcision services. 1. Choose Code Based on Method, Patient Age Typically, urologists don't perform newborn circumcisions, but rather adult or adolescent circumcisions. Based on the method and the patient's age, CPT offers you three codes for circumcisions: • For a surgical "clamp" circumcision, report 54150 (Circumcision, using clamp or other device with regional dorsal penile or ring block), says Chandra L. Hines, business office manager for N.C.  rological Associates Inc. in Raleigh. You should expect to see this [...]